Phengaris chloe Mo & Wang, 2023

Mo, Shi-Fang, Jia, Feng-Hai, Xu, Xin-Yu, Wang, Min & Ma, Fang-Zhou, 2023, A new species of the genus Phengaris (s. str.) (Lepidoptera, Lycaenidae) from China, Zootaxa 5352 (2), pp. 284-288 : 285-287

Phengaris chloe Mo & Wang sp. nov.

Type material. Holotype male ( SCAU): Huanggang Mountain of Wuyi Mountain National Park , Jiangxi Province, China, 15. VIII. 2022, leg. Xin-yu Xu ; Paratype. 1 male, same data as holotype .

Male. ( Fig 1–4 ). Ground color of wings white and the basal distributed taupe scale. Forewing upperside with black margin gradually broadened from mid of termen to the costa and then sharply widened to apex, where overlapped with three pale black dots with bluish scales, one black spot in distal of cell, one traceable black spot each in the mid of space M 3, CuA 1 and mid of cell. Forewing underside with some distinct black spots, distal of space CuA 1 without black spots. Hindwing upperside with some traceable black spot. Each space on the hindwing underside with two dark spots except for space Sc+ R 1 (three dark spots) and 2A (one dark spot).

Male genitalia. ( Fig 5 ). Strongly sclerotized, tegumen short and broad, vinculum narrow, saccus absent, gnathos arc shaped and terminal pointed, valve oblong, ventral with a finger-like protuberance and distal with distinct short protuberance, juxta V-shaped, aedeagus stout and broad with elaborate distal structure.

Female. unknown.

Distribution. Huanggang Mountain of Wuyi Mountain National Park, Jiangxi Province, China. Wuyi Mountain National Park is a protected area that spans an impressive 1001.41 square kilometers ( Xie et al., 2023). This vast expanse of land is home to a diverse range of ecosystems, including lush forests, towering mountains, and winding rivers, which provide a habitat for numerous plant and animal species.

Diagnosis. The new species is markedly different from the other members of genus Phengaris Doherty, 1891 (s. str.) and can be identified by the following characteristics: Forewing without markings in the distal of space CuA 1 and CuA 2. The marginal marking of underside wings weaker than other species in this genus. The distinct short protuberance at distal of valve.

Etymology. We have the pleasure to name this new species after Chloe, who is the youngest granddaughter of the second author.

Figures

FIGURE 5. Male genitalia of Phengaris chloe sp. nov. Scale=0.5mm.

FIGURES 1–4. Male adults of Phengaris chloe sp. nov. (1–2, holotype; 3–4, paratypes). Scale=1cm.